"We are currently in the middle of the stone fruit season, working, as per our schedule, with the Metis® and Pluot® before moving on with new products, such as the blood nectarine, which fascinated some European markets both last season and this year," said Macarena García-Otero Reina, CEO of Royal.
"We are a European company with the capacity to surprise consumers with the taste and added value of our stone fruit. We are working constantly to deliver innovations to the markets in a very traditional category, aiming to deliver intense flavors and, above all, alternatives in the supermarket shelves," said the company representative.
"All this, moreover, is possible thanks to Royal's agronomic expertise. We always seek excellence as a grower," she says. "We are among the undisputed leaders in the production of stone fruit, as well as berries, especially blueberry and raspberry. The Royal Blu Aroma® blueberry won a double Flavor of the Year award in Spain and France, and we also supply classics in the European market, such as nectarines, peaches, or the Pluot® and Metis® interspecific hybrids."
Blood nectarine
Last season they introduced a blood nectarine that surprised the markets with its juiciness and intense ruby color. "This season we marketed a larger volume, delivering to 7 markets. This year, there was already demand before the product hit the markets, which encouraged us to continue working with this variety in the coming years."
The Royal Sanguine® aims to become a more gourmet alternative to traditional nectarine varieties. "Organoleptically, it offers a contrast, with a balance between sourness and sweetness that makes its flavor simply sublime," says Macarena García-Otero.
"We are not satisfied sticking to the traditional, and we have been working to stand out in the markets, betting on new products with unique features that can provide consumers with flavor, nutritional properties and, above all, a pleasurable eating experience. In the coming years, we plan to introduce new products that will set trends in the markets."
"A change in the plum paradigm"
Nearly two decades ago, the Sevillian company made a commitment to supplying premium plums (Pluot® and Metis®) to the market, and this ended up creating a real and differentiating alternative in the segment. The introduction of interspecific hybrids in the fields provided new options for the consumer and a new marketing line for retailers.
"Royal has brought the two most prominent brands and varieties in the international fruit market within the reach of European and Asian consumers. Pluot® and Metis® are two high-end alternatives that stand out for being plums hybridized with apricot, which capture the best qualities of both fruits, thereby offering a unique taste experience to consumers," said Macarena García-Otero.
"Having 26 varieties available under the Metis® and Pluot® brands," as Royal's CEO points out, "gives supermarkets the power of choice between two high-end alternatives and is bringing a revolution to supermarket shelves. Each has its own organoleptic characteristics and they are compatible with each other, with the added bonus that within each brand there are different families and varieties, and this undoubtedly makes it possible to offer new flavors throughout the season under a common quality standard, so customers are always given the best".
Royal in the coming years
"The best is yet to come," says Macarena García-Otero, who remains firm in her commitment to retailers to continue promoting business in the sector through innovative products. "In the coming years, we will be bringing new products to the market which are sure to delight consumers. Royal is a company that works with a wide range of products and is present on consumers' tables all year round. Now, we also want to be perceived as a brand that delivers unique products."
"True to our agricultural soul, we stand by our motto of farming for flavor, combining the pleasure of providing consumers with fruit of superior quality and taste with our commitment to a job well done," she concludes.
For more information:
Tanguy Debiesse
SAT ROYAL
T: +34 954791511
M: +34 648 03 96 27
[email protected]
www.royal.es